Liberty student Josiah Richmond Rose was killed Thursday night, April 12, when his motorcycle crashed on U.S. 501 at the Graves Mill Road ramp.

According to the News & Advance, Rose was pronounced dead at the scene. Rose, 21, was a sophomore from New York known for his love of the outdoors, especially hunting. He also had a love for motorcycles and BMX bikes.

He was often seen riding his 2002 Triumph motorcycle, and would ride with other students and locals.
John Stiles, who was Rose’s roommate last year, said they often went riding together. Stiles said he heard the motorcycle idling 50 to 100 feet from where Rose had hit the guardrail.

“He was a daredevil type,” friend Emily Konrad said. “But he was very careful on his motorcycle.”

One fond memory Konrad has of Rose was last year, when Rose shot a turkey while hunting and brought it back with him.

“My mom cooked it and he was really proud of it,” she said. The two had met last year when he was on Dorm 15, her brother dorm.

“He will definitely be missed,” she said. “People loved him a lot.”

As soon as students heard of the accident, many began to post on Rose’s Facebook page.

“Your laughter always carried me through tough times…thank you for your jokes and good times. You will be missed,” wrote Liberty student Jessica Hunt.

“I know that you're walking on streets of gold and experiencing such wonderful things that the rest of us will have to wait on,” wrote Ashley Cofer.

According to Lieutenant Michael Staley of the Lynchburg Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit, Rose lost control of his motorcycle. The police are still investigating the accident and are asking for any information residents may have.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 18. The funeral will be held Thursday at Marley Funeral Home in Attica, New York.